August 2017
Wednesday, 30 August 2017 12:41

Locals urged to support Legacy

East Gippsland residents are being encouraged to support the loved ones of those who have either served their country or suffered the ultimate sacrifice at war, during Legacy Week, which finishes on Saturday.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said local Legacy members would be out and about across East Gippsland this week, volunteering their time by selling badges and merchandise in support of veterans’ families.

“In East Gippsland there are 50 Legatees who look after around 250 widows or widowers and families of people who have given their lives during conflict or as a result of conflict, or who have served our country,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull said Legacy could provide numerous avenues of financial assistance, including for:

• Lawn mowing and garden maintenance;

• Power bills;

• Heating and wood supply;

• Spouting clean outs;

• Equipment, such as walkers, wheel chairs, etc.;

• Aids for the sight impaired;

• General home maintenance; and

• Food.

“On top of this, Legacy provides companionship, assistance to those who may be experiencing issues with their pensions and even legal advice, if required,” Mr Bull said.

“Large projects, such as house painting, can also be provided on an interest-free loan basis.”

East Gippsland Legacy executive officer, Helen Kilpatrick, said Legacy Week was the local branch’s only fundraiser during the year, with all monies raised staying in East Gippsland.

“We rely on businesses, organisations and the general public to give generously during this week so we can continue our work,” she said.

Nationwide, Legacy cares for around 70,000 families of veterans, including children, young families, people with a disability and widows, many of whom are in their 80s and 90s and alone.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with volunteer Pat Murphy outside Woolworths in Bairnsdale.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Published in Media
Wednesday, 30 August 2017 11:53

Bush nursing centre a Gelantipy asset

Significant renovations to the Gelantipy District Bush Nursing Centre will make the facility an even bigger asset to the community, according to Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, who helped officially reopen it yesterday.

“Having provided funding to the tune of almost $185,000 while in government, as part of the Liberal-Nationals Bush Nursing Support Fund, it is pleasing to see the finished project,” Mr Bull said.

“This upgraded facility gives the Gelantipy community a renewed sense of security with its     responsive and flexible medical services available close to home and a referral point for those who need to access services from larger and more distant medical services,” he said.

Mr Bull said the centre now offered new and improved facilities for staff, clients, visiting health professionals and the wider Gelantipy community.

Through separate funding measures, the committee has also been able to replace the roof and construct an ambulance bay and car port, while further monies were obtained to purchase a back-up generator.

“This really is a facility we can all be very proud of,” he said.

“The upgrade has also been supported by the wider community with contributions from groups and events such as the Buchan Rodeo, Wulgulmerang Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, Buchan and Gelantipy Racing Club and the Cabanandra Camp Draft Committee.”

Mr Bull said the bush nursing centre opened in 1964, largely caring for injured timber workers.

 

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with Susie Edwards, Pauline Buchanan, Judith Sykes, Karen Cribbes, Megan Phelan and Ann-Marie Cochrane at the official reopening of the Gelantipy District Bush Nursing Centre yesterday.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Published in Media
Monday, 28 August 2017 09:44

Minister should explain Heyfield facts

Victoria’s Agriculture Minister needs to visit Heyfield and explain the facts around job losses at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), Parliament has heard.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, used his contribution in the chamber last week to formally request the Minister visit the town “to explain to the community in detail what is going on in relation to employment numbers at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods”.

“The Minister said as recently as last sitting week that there will be no jobs lost in the transition period of mill ownership, yet last week we had a letter from mill management stating one shift is going from the green mill,” Mr Bull told Parliament last Tuesday night.

Mr Bull also addressed the Minister’s recent comments in print media that said his previous commentary on the matter was “speculation” and “unhelpful”.

“Minister, your so-called speculation is in fact a letter from the mill management to the mill employees, and it refers to the fact that as of August 16 the green mill will have only one shift, down from two.

“I am told by employees that this is 20 jobs. I ask the Minister: does she still think this is speculation?

“I am aware the staff in question have fortunately either found other employment (some in different positions with ASH), or are taking some time off before accepting voluntary redundancies, but the reality is the shift is not coming back.

“That is 20 fewer jobs ongoing and 20 fewer pay packets going into the town, which will impact on local business, community groups and even things like school enrolments.

“So with the company confirming this in the letter I have, which I will make available to the House, I am not sure how the Minister can label it as speculation and unhelpful. These comments are in direct opposition to those of mill management.

“I urge the Minister to please come to Heyfield, meet with these workers, their families and businesses and explain to them why mill management says there is a shift gone as of last Wednesday while she says job losses are speculation and why she continues to say there will be no jobs lost in the transition period when already 20 positions have been lost.”

The Minister has 30 days to respond to Mr Bull’s request.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked the Agriculture Minister to visit Heyfield and explain to the community about employment at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods.

Monday, August 28, 2017

Published in Media
Wednesday, 23 August 2017 13:51

MP teams up with East Gippsland Lions to help give cancer the boot

Lions members from East Gippsland have teamed up with Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, and others from across Victoria in raising funds for childhood cancer research at an event in State Parliament.

Mr Bull, who is a member of the State Parliament Lions, helped organise a cocktail party in Spring Street on Monday night, marking the 100th year of Lions Clubs International, inviting local members to join in the celebration.

“As part of the function, we held a charity auction which raised almost $5000 for childhood cancer research,” Mr Bull said.

“It was a great night and I thank the local Lions for attending, with 12 coming from the Heyfield club, which is a fantastic effort.

“We also had members from Maffra and four from both Stratford and Metung,” he said.

Members were given a tour of Parliament and took in the music of the Macleod College Ensemble before listening to the guest speakers, who included International Director Tony Benbow and Associate Professor, paediatrician Paul Ekert, from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

“The speakers did a great job and were very insightful, which was fantastic for the East Gippsland Lions who travelled so far for this event,” Mr Bull said.

The Lions Club of State Parliament gives members of parliament a chance to make a difference in the community, while spending time away from their electorates and families during sitting weeks.

 

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, with members of Heyfield Lions Club during an event held in Parliament on Monday night.

 

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Published in Media
Tuesday, 22 August 2017 14:50

Apply now for VicHealth funding

Sporting clubs from across East Gippsland should apply for a share in up to $400,000 worth of funding under the VicHealth Active Club Grant scheme, says Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull said grants of up to $10,000 were available to clubs looking to increase female participation or offer a modified sports program to appeal to a wider audience.

“As a former member of the VicHealth board, I strongly support this grant stream and a number of our local clubs have been beneficiaries in the past,” he said.

“Getting involved with a sports club has great social and health benefits for men and women.

“These grants are designed to help our local clubs keep membership costs low and encourage everyone to get involved.

“Sporting clubs are crucial to maintaining community wellbeing and it’s important that we find ways to keep participation numbers high.”

Applications close 4pm on Friday, September 22.

For more information or to lodge an application, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with Doug Paterson and Andy Franke, who recently helped Bairnsdale Bowls Club secure a VicHealth Active Club Grant.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Published in Media
Monday, 21 August 2017 16:55

Liberal-Nationals announce record funding boost for palliative care

The announcement that Victorians will have access to world-class palliative care under a Liberal-Nationals government is fantastic news for East Gippsland residents, according to State MP, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull said an elected Liberal-Nationals government would provide $140 million – the largest investment of its kind in Australia – to ensure terminally ill patients and their families can get the support they need as they approach the end of their lives.

“The majority of Victorians want to live their final days at home surrounded by family and friends,” Mr Bull said.

“Roughly only a third of Victorians get to spend their final days surrounded by family and friends because there is inadequate funding for community-based palliative care and I am pleased this package has a strong focus on rural and regional Victoria.”

In 2015/16, funding for community palliative care provided support for 16,777 Victorians. 

The Liberal Nationals’ $140 million commitment will help provide palliative care support for up to another 8000 Victorians.

“With an ageing population, rising rates of complex chronic illness and an increasing population in East Gippsland, demand for palliative care will continue to grow,” Mr Bull said.

“Only a Liberal-Nationals government will make the necessary investment to deliver timely and comprehensive community palliative care for those who want it.”

The Liberal-Nationals’ package will include*:

• Doubling specialist palliative care medical and nursing services to community palliative care clients, especially in rural and regional Victoria.

• A 50 per cent increase in funding for community palliative care provided in the home, including overnight care, in-home respite and carer support, and enhanced links to after-hours support such as GPs and pharmacists.

• Significant education and workforce development to recruit and train skilled palliative care workers to deliver expanded services, enhance health professionals’ capacity to have end-of-life conversations, and support volunteers.

• A community awareness and engagement campaign to assist Victorians to understand the availability and benefits of palliative care, including under-represented groups such as rural and regional Victorians, children, non-cancer related illnesses, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and indigenous Victorians.

• Establishing of an End-of-Life Ministerial Council, with representation from palliative care and broader health sectors as well as patients and carers, to ensure palliative care is integrated with broader health services and flexibly and effectively meeting the needs of terminally ill Victorians and their families.

*Based on 2016/17 funding for Community Palliative Care Services and Consultancy Services

Monday, August 21, 2017

Published in Media
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